Photos

Predators vs. Canucks December 8, 2009

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 8: Joel Ward #29 of the Nashville Predators grimaces while he strecthes during warmups prior to a game against the Vancouver Canucks on December 8, 2009 at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

He's only 17 but he can see the ice so well and he moves the puck and goes to the open ice all the time, so I just think he's a player that is ready to play in the NHL. I'm really looking forward to coaching someone like this.

— U.S. National Junior Team coach Ron Wilson on Auston Matthews, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2016 NHL Draft